Not that her mother, Harriet Knowles, was that close to Susannah, but being Laurel's sister meant that the invitation was extended each summer. And Valentina loved this fact.
For the entire year, Valentina counted down the days until she was in that house. Not that she was close to Belly, or the Fisher boys — Valentina had her own group of friends. But being stuck in boarding school was not her ideal situation, and the summer meant being nowhere near that wretched institution. So she'll take what she could.
Even if it meant having to spend time in the same house as Conrad Fisher.
Ever since he turned fourteen, he had mercilessly made fun of her, throwing mocking insults in her direction whenever possible. And Valentina Knowles was a hot-headed person, known for her stubborn pride. So, of course, she couldn't just ignore his comments — she needed retaliation.
And so their years-long rivalry begun — Valentina couldn't even remember why it had even begun, but all she knew was that his irritating face annoyed the crap out of her. Which meant one of her goals this summer was to avoid him at all costs, unless she couldn't help it.
"Valentina, you did remember to bring my parasol, right?"
Snapping out of her thoughts, Valentina glanced away from the car's open window, where the summer breeze had been caressing her dark locks, to face her mother in the driver seat.
Harriet Knowles couldn't of had a daughter more different to her than Valentina. While Harriet was prim and proper, with a strict poise that was composed with elegancy, Valentina was spontaneous and impulsive. Her actions were often led with her intense emotions, rather than following in her mother's logical view.
